I made this a couple weeks ago while husband and I were settling into our new apartment. It was so tasty I didn’t want it to end! The trickiest part to this recipe is getting the pasta right, since brown rice spaghetti can get messed up pretty quickly.

I’m so proud of myself… I think my baking may be improving! I think part of it is that I’m finally understanding things like the difference between and importance of baking powder and baking soda. And I’m learning that, while it’s okay to tweak baking recipes somewhat, there are basic cornerstones to the recipe (and its directions) that you can’t mess with.

I made these the other day and they are YUM! I don’t like to use a ton of white sugar and butter so I replaced those with alternative ingredients, and I also used Eggbeaters instead of real egg to cut down on the cholesterol… but that’s up to you.

August 4th marks the return of Discovery Channel’s popular Shark Week.

I was born the month Jaws hit theaters across the U.S., and it has always been my favorite movie. Throughout my early years, I took great pleasure in drawing sharks, reading marine life books, and obsessively watching National Geographic Shark Specials. My heroes were Ron and Valerie Taylor and Dr. Eugenie Clark. I wished that I didn’t suck so badly at school work, because I wanted to be a marine biologist.

So it’s not really a shock that for my birthday this June, I made myself a gluten-free red velvet Jaws Cake. If you’re entertaining or celebrating in honor of these fascinating underwater creatures this month, here’s how to make one! I’ve also pinned several cute shark party themes and ideas here, which would work well for a Shark Week Party, child’s birthday, or even a wedding, bridal shower, bachelor party, or baby shower. (You can also check out my Shark Watermelon One-Two Punch recipe which was featured on OffBeat Bride in 2011.)

I haven’t been blogging in the past month because of several factors; we’ve of course been looking for permanent work and living spaces in the Southern United States. We also went visiting my parents and siblings in Georgia, and, most recently, have been nursing a sick pet.

Just a quick blog today to give a heads up that I will be calling in today at 10:45 EST on Not So Soccer Mom radio! We’ll be discussing Ninja Hosting and the pinup lifestyle! Listen in! We’re LIVE at 10am EST! :)

As many of you may know, looking for work is a pain in the ass. It’s expensive. It’s frustrating. It’s a lot of waiting around while someone else judges your skill set and value. Fun, right? Well, I find that it can be a happier time with friends and family around.

In “Hosting With Style – Beretta Fleur’s Guide to Parties and Homemaking”, I wrote a chapter called Gracious Hospitality, and I’ve been living it for the past month. Here in West Palm, Florida, my sister’s family and my husband and I have been co-habitating under one roof. Husband and I help out with cleaning, organizing, grocery shopping, and childcare while they give us a roof over our heads while we’re looking for ideal jobs and a home in the area. It’s working out really great! Here’s how I’ve been helping to make our Family Compound feel like a functional home for the past month.

A few months ago, one of my close friends, Kimpossible of the blog Sun and Stars posted about hosting a Spa Makeover- Themed teenager party. Now, I know some brave people, but I feel like it takes a special kind of person willing to open their home to a gaggle of 13 year old gals. After reading her blog post about the successful, fun-looking party, my Hostess Brain scrambled with the logistics behind undertaking such a project. I asked Kim some questions about the planning process.

I love Spring… it just feels like a new opportunity to get into warm weather party mode.

Our garden wedding – photo by Barbara B.

In honor of the year turning toward the warmer months, I’ve compiled a few Pinterest Boards of spring holiday decorating and menu ideas for Passover, Equinox, and Easter festivities, or that will work for a festive brunch, intimate wedding, baby shower, tea, or bridal shower.